Poker is a game of cards that is played in competition with others at the table. There is a lot of luck involved, but it also requires an incredible amount of skill. Many people learn to play poker as a hobby, but it is possible to earn a decent living from the game if you become very good at it.
The first thing you need to understand is that the most important part of poker is position. Having the best position at the table allows you to make better calls and raises. This is because you have more information than your opponents when it is your turn to act. It is also more difficult for opponents to read your hand if you have the best position in the game.
Once everyone has their 2 hole cards there is a round of betting that starts with the player to the left of the dealer. These mandatory bets are called blinds and they give players an incentive to play the game. After the betting round on the first round of community cards is complete a third card is dealt face up that everyone can use, this is called the flop.
Once the flop is revealed a fourth community card is dealt face up and another round of betting takes place. The fourth round is known as the river. The best 5 card poker hand wins the pot. Some of the most common hands are Straight, Flush, Four of a Kind, and Full House.